Over the past month we have been busy with three new projects:
Common Lake Path, where it rises steeply up from the bridge below Stonemans Lane to Barmaid’s Path, has always been difficult and often muddy. This is partly due to its dual use, for we do allow horse-riders to use this path so that they can cross The Common to access the road at Weare Trees. Our solution has been to widen it, so that the two tracks are separate. Unfortunately our contractor for the work has made it wider than we planned and it does look rather harsh. We have seeded it with a woodland flower mix and expect it to be soon integrated into the surrounding area.
Another very steep path is the one through the woods below the cemetery to the metal bridge over Common Lake Stream. Earlier work was done to put in steps and divert the spring water away. This has now been improved and a handrail installed for much of its length.
We have added an extra half acre to our wildflower meadow in the field next to Taddiport Bridge. By now germination should have taken place of the seed mix containing fine grasses and twenty different flowers.
Car boot sales will start again on May 1st, and will continue through the Summer on each Sunday from 7 o’clock in the morning.
Michael Collingham.
Author : M Collingham
GREAT TORRINGTON COMMON CONSERVATORS
Registered with the Charity Commissioners (Reg. No 202804)
Chairman Clerk / Treasurer
Mr M Collingham Mr J C Baker
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF GREAT TORRINGTON COMMON
CONSERVATORS OF THE ACTIVITIES DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR
ENDING 31st MARCH 2010
The condition of The Common continues to improve. The dedicated work of Conservator Roger Dymond, employee Al Mitchell together with our many volunteers, has enabled us to provide a high level of maintenance and improvements. Our sound financial position has allowed investment in extra machinery and materials to support this work.
The major projects over the year include:
Play Area updated to conform to modern safety standards, and new equipment has been installed.
Wildlife pond constructed in Reed’s Field, fed from a spring on Furzebeam Hill.
Trees cut back on Norwood Road to prevent interference with telephone line.
Continued work to remove sycamores and prevent their domination of The Common.
Work on Pope’s Lane to divert the spring.
Provision of several new dog litter bins (and their regular emptying).
Control of docks, knotweed and balsam on various areas.
New steps from Rolle Road to river and steps from Barmaids renewed.
Wooden walkways constructed over some of the wetter areas of the paths.
Area above Monument cleared and mown.
Our purchase of a large all terrain mower is enabling us to cut the pathways and larger maintained areas when needed, with a reduction in the costs of employing contractors.
The leakage of sewage onto The Common has become more frequent. Together, with the support of Great Torrington Town Council, we made a formal complaint to OFWAT.
This resulted in a scheme to increase the capacity of the sewer from the town, but only as far as its junction with Rolle Road. Excess sewage is then to be deposited into Lady Wash stream and then into the river. The Environment Agency will make the final decision on whether this can proceed and we have spent much time in expressing our opposition. We have also opposed several applications which affect our land, mainly on the grounds of access and the increasing load on the already inadequate sewerage system.
Monarch Homes, who own the Taddiport Dairy Site, have put forward new proposals for its development which we cannot accept due to them including vehicle use of Rolle Road. At the old abattoir, development plans for new industrial units now include provision for a sewage treatment system with discharge onto The Common.
We have made clear our conditions before we would give permission for this. The major works on the golf course are proceeding slowly and we have assurances that restoration will be completed to our satisfaction. Problems of vehicle access to several properties bounding our land are still not resolved, but we have made progress regarding the police responsibilities regarding any enforcement procedures that may be necessary.
A new map of the common has been produced and 1000 copies printed. Our proposed new bye-laws have been approved by defra. With community support we have been successful in our application to register ownership of the land along the river from Taddiport Bridge to the weir. We have now agreed our boundaries with The Land Registry and expect finalisation of our registration soon. The rural payment agency maps, which determine our payments from Defra, are still not correct and have again been returned. A new initiative to plant the few species of indigenous trees that are not already present on the common has begun. On completion we hope to produce a tree trail which will include all species which were thought to be present before the Roman invasion.
Mrs Bulley has retired from many successful years supervising our car boot sale and Brian Symons has taken her place. Except for the sporting events the participation of our Common’s Week events was again disappointing, but this was no doubt mainly due to the bad weather at the time. Our ‘Friends of The Common’ group continues to grow. Thanks go to Stephanie Easton and her band of volunteers.
With good income from our franchises, the Single Payment Scheme and continued support from The Town Land Charities our income has exceeded expenditure.
Finally I must thank The Conservators, employees and volunteers for their efforts over the year which have allowed me to write this optimistic report, and also Chris Styles for his free audit of our accounts.
The Charity Commission require annual returns from this Registered Charity, and our finances and ancillary matters are set out within their guidelines.
Michael Collingham for the Board of Great Torrington Conservators.
May 2010.
Author : M Collingham
Common News.
On The Common we have over 50 different species of trees. Some are fairly recent introductions to this country and many of these find that the conditions here, together with lack of natural pests and diseases, allow them to flourish. A good example of this is the Sycamore, which if not controlled would eventually dominate the whole common
There is evidence that many trees were present in Britain before the last ice age began to retreat about 10,000 years ago. These include oak, birch and hazel. If we add these survivors to those which we know were here soon after the land bridge to Europe disappeared and the activities of man became dominant, we have a list of trees (about 25 species) which we can truly call indigenous-ie. British Trees. With the addition of those recorded before the Roman invasion 2,000 years ago, the number of tree species rises to about 40.
Our ongoing project is to plant those which are at present missing from the common (less than 10 species) so that we have a complete set. Later we will provide labelling and a leaflet to guide visitors through a short walk where all these trees may be seen.
We are quite excited by this scheme which perhaps will make The Common a unique area to visit.
Author : M Collingham
Common News
If you walk down to Ladies Island by our newly sown extension to the wildflower meadow, you can now continue onto a newly cleared path which eventually runs along the river bank below the old tow path. Continue past the Victorian bathing area where two new seats provide a wonderful peaceful spot to river-gaze, and then up the steps to rejoin Rolle Road by the London plane tree. In our Common’s record it is recorded that 80 trees were planted on Castle Hill (at a cost of £60) in 1898. This is probably one of these, making it about 110 years old.
When I walked this path in April there was a fine display of wood anemones, dog’s mercury and the Michelin star chefs favourite – ransoms or wild garlic. Up the hill, the path edges were thick with violets which augers well for the endangered pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly. Its caterpillars feed on the violet and it is one of the species for which we try to provide a suitable habitat through our conservation work.